Serum zinc levels, lymphocyte counts and functions in pediatric Hodgkin's disease

Serum zinc levels, total lymphocyte counts, cutaneous reactivity to three intradermal antigens and the in vitro lymphoblastic transformation response to PHA were evaluated in 24 children with Hodgkin's disease and 20 control cases. Serum zinc level was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Perkin Elmer M 103) in Hodgkin's cases and found to be significantly decreased in the whole group of patients and reached the lowest level in LD type and the IVth stage of disease. The overall response to PHA was reduced in Hodgkin's cases. It was significantly low in the group of LD subtype. Delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions were also markedly decreased in the IV stage and MC, LP subtypes of Hodgkin's patients. Our preliminary results disclosed a relationship between serum zinc level and the lymphocyte abnormalities in Hodgkin's disease.